NFC South

The Carolina Panthers will be hoping they get a new version of Baker Mayfield in 2022, instead of the one reportedly seen as "childish" while with the Cleveland Browns.

Mayfield was viewed by the Browns as "childish and immature," according to The Athletic's Jason Lloyd, who added that the 27-year-old was "often difficult to coach" and that his behavior "annoyed teammates and divided the locker room."

Of course, the most recognized issue was between Mayfield and former Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., who was released by the franchise during the 2021 campaign and later signed with the Los Angeles Rams.

The Browns released Beckham after his father, Odell Beckham Sr., shared a video that highlighted times when Mayfield either missed his son entirely or didn't throw the ball to him when he was wide open.

Beckham neither publicly disavowed his father's comments nor spoke to Mayfield about it, according to ESPN's Jake Trotter, and the two just never appeared to be on the same page during their time together in Cleveland.

Lloyd also cited an instance where Mayfield got irritated with Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski for missing a meeting after the team lost 45-7 to the New England Patriots in November so he could speak with defensive end Myles Garrett instead.

From that point on, Stefanski never missed another meeting and "privately shined a glaring spotlight on his quarterback during film sessions from that day forward," according to Lloyd.

The Browns traded Mayfield to the Panthers on July 6 in exchange for a conditional fifth-round pick in 2024, putting an end to his tenure in Cleveland. After acquiring Deshaun Watson from the Houston Texans earlier in the offseason, the franchise had no need for Mayfield on its roster.

Now Mayfield will likely enter a battle with Sam Darnold for Carolina's starting job. Considering Darnold had an even worse 2021 campaign than Mayfield, the former Brown probably has a good chance to get the nod.

Mayfield appeared in 14 games for the Browns last season, playing with a torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder, and completed 60.5 percent of his passes for 3,010 yards, 17 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

Darnold, meanwhile, appeared in 12 games because of a shoulder injury, but he didn't show any signs of improvement from his days with the New York Jets in those games. He went 4-7 and completed just 59.9 percent of his passes for 2,527 yards, nine touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

That said, even if Mayfield is arguably the better quarterback, it's hard to imagine the Panthers starting him if his behavior issues continue in Carolina.

The Cleveland Browns traded quarterback Baker Mayfield to the Carolina Panthers on Wednesday for a conditional 2024 fifth-round pick.

According to Albert Breer of The MMQB, the conditional pick will turn into a fourth-rounder if Mayfield plays 70 percent of Carolina's offensive snaps in 2022:

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network first reported the trade, noting the teams will split Mayfield's $18.9 million salary. Peter Schrager of Fox Sports broke down the details:

Mayfield will face his former team in Week 1, as the Panthers host the Browns to start the regular season.

Nearly four months ago, the Browns acquired Deshuan Watson from the Houston Texans, all but guaranteeing Mayfield's exit. The 2017 Heisman Trophy winner is coming off a 2021 season in which he struggled with injuries and ineffectiveness. He is recovering from offseason shoulder surgery after playing last season with a harness.

While it was believed Mayfield would return to play under his fifth-year option, the Browns did not limit themselves in a search for a new quarterback. They met with Watson and then gave him with a fully guaranteed $230 million contract.

It was jarring after Mayfield appeared to be solidified as the Browns' long-term quarterback.

Mayfield helped lead the Browns to their first playoff berth since 2002 in 2020, throwing for 3,563 yards and 26 touchdowns against eight interceptions. It was a night-and-day turnaround from his nightmarish 2019, which left many to fear he'd join the lengthy list of Browns quarterback busts.

The hiring of Kevin Stefanski as head coach appeared to change Mayfield's trajectory—but that was only temporarily. He threw for just 3,010 yards and 17 touchdowns against 13 interceptions last season. The Browns failed to make the playoffs and watched as Odell Beckham Jr. thrived for the Super Bowl-winning Los Angeles Rams after agitating his way out of Cleveland midway through the season.

The falling-out was enough for the Browns, who fashion themselves as a Super Bowl contender. All that was left was finding an upgrade at quarterback, and Cleveland feels it finally has one.

This is the second straight offseason in which the Panthers have taken on a struggling quarterback. A year ago, it was Sam Darnold in a move that quickly backfired. Now the Panthers have the top two quarterbacks from the 2018 draft, and they'll compete for the starting job.

The Panthers will pay Darnold a guaranteed $18.9 million next season.

Mike Evans thought Tom Brady was joking when the legendary quarterback hinted at his return to the gridiron.

In an interview with Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston, Evans said Brady brought up how the star wideout tossed his final touchdown pass into the stands but reassured him, "There's more touchdowns in our future."

Not long after that, Brady announced he was ending his brief retirement and returning to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

A level of skepticism always existed about whether the 44-year-old would walk away, but Evans' comments underline how it still came as a surprise when Brady confirmed he would suit up for a 23rd season.